RSA launches mobile phone appeal

People who use a mobile phone while driving are four times more likely to have a crash, putting themselves and other road-users at an increased risk of death or serious injury, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The ‘Mobile Phones and Driving’ awareness campaign is focusing on the dangers of driving while using a mobile phone.

“Research tells us that you are four times more likely to have a crash if you use a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone when you are driving. Using a mobile phone while driving distracts the driver, impairs their control of the vehicle and reduces their awareness of what is happening around them.”

Penalty points for holding a mobile phone while driving a vehicle came into force on 1st September 2006. As of 30th April 2008, there have been 35,253 offences for holding a mobile phone while driving, the third highest offence behind speeding and driving without a safety belt. Any person found holding a mobile phone faces up to four penalty points and a fine of €2,000 if convicted.

“We understand that many people need to use their mobile phone as part of their daily lives but it’s a scientific fact that drivers who use a mobile phone while driving have higher accident rates than those who do not. Our message is simple - Switch off before you drive off - If you need to make a phone call or check messages, pull in and park in a safe place. No phone call is worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk.”

The RSA has produced an information leaflet called ‘Mobile Phones and Driving’ which can be downloaded from www.rsa.ie. In addition to this, a new 30 second radio advert outlining the dangers of driving while using a mobile phone is being run on all national and local radio stations. The leaflet provides the following advice for drivers:

1.Switch off before you drive off. Turn off your mobile phone or put it on the ‘silent’ or ‘meeting’ option setting before starting your journey.

2.Use the voicemail on your mobile phone so people can leave messages for you while you’re travelling.

3.Stop regularly on your journey so you can check for messages and return any calls.

4.Make sure the place you stop is a legal and safe place to park. It is illegal to stop on a motorway unless it is an emergency.

5.If you call someone on their mobile phone while they are driving, be aware that they should be concentrating on their driving and not on your conversation. Tell them you will call them back or wait until they pull their car over.